Cover of Carry On: Letters in War-Time

Carry On: Letters in War-Time

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  • 2 hours to read
  • 50 chapters
  • Reading level: 7th grade

"Carry On: Letters in War-Time" by Coningsby Dawson is a collection of personal letters written during World War I, likely in the early 20th century. This poignant work captures the thoughts and experiences of Dawson, who served as a lieutenant in the Canadian Field Artillery, as he shares his emotional journey from a peaceful civilian life to the brutal realities of war. The letters reflect a deep sense of duty, love for his family, and the camaraderie found among soldiers amidst the harrowing contexts of battle. The opening of the volume sets the tone by introducing the intimate nature of the letters, highlighting their candid reflections on life and death during wartime. Dawson reveals his initial thoughts upon joining the military, articulating a mix of excitement and solemn responsibility. He expresses profound longing for his home and family while detailing the growth of his understanding of courage, sacrifice, and the harsh truths of combat. The letters offer vivid imagery of the war landscape and the humanity of the soldiers, revealing a balance of fear and profound resolve as they confront one of history's most devastating conflicts.

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  • World War, 1914-1918 · Personal narratives, English

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Chapter I: OTTAWA, July 16th, 1916

DEAREST ALL:

So much has happened since last I saw you that it's difficult to know where to start. On Thursday, after lunch, I got the news that we were to entrain from Petewawa next Friday morning. I at once put in for leave to go to Ottawa the next day until the following Thursday at reveille. We came here with a lot of the other officers who are going over and have been having a very full time.

I am sailing from a port unknown on board the Olympic with 6,000 troops—there is to be a big convoy. I feel more than ever I did—and I'm sure it's a feeling that you share since visiting the camp—that I am setting out on a Crusade from which it would have been impossible to withhold myself with honour. I go quite gladly and contentedly, and pray that in God's good time we may all sit again in the little shack at Kootenay and listen to the rustling of the orchard outside. It will be of those summer days that I shall be thinking all the time.

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Contents

Show all 50 chapters
  1. Introduction
  2. Chapter I: OTTAWA, July 16th, 1916
  3. Chapter II
  4. Chapter III: ON BOARD, July 27th, 1916
  5. Chapter IV: SHORNCLIFF, August 19th, 1916
  6. Chapter V: SHORNCLIFF, August 19th, 1916
  7. Chapter VI: SHORNCLIFF, August 30th, 1916
  8. Chapter VII
  9. Chapter VIII: FRANCE, September 1st, 1916
  10. Chapter IX: September 8th, 1916
  11. Chapter X
  12. Chapter XI: September 15th, 1916
  13. Chapter XII: September 19th, 1916
  14. Chapter XIII: September 19th, 1916
  15. Chapter XIV: September 21st, 1916
  16. Chapter XV: Sunday, September 24th, 1916
  17. Chapter XVI: September 28th, 1916
  18. Chapter XVII: October 1st, 1916
  19. Chapter XVIII: October 13th, 1916
  20. Chapter XIX: October 14th, 1916
  21. Chapter XX: October 15th, 1916
  22. Chapter XXI: October 18th, 1910
  23. Chapter XXII: October 23, 1916
  24. Chapter XXIII: October 27th, 1916
  25. Chapter XXIV
  26. Chapter XXV: November 1st, 1916
  27. Chapter XXVI: November 4th, 1916
  28. Chapter XXVII: November 6th, 1916
  29. Chapter XXVIII: November 15th, 1916
  30. Chapter XXIX: December 3rd, 1916
  31. Chapter XXX: December 5th, 1916
  32. Chapter XXXI: December 6th, 1916
  33. Chapter XXXII: December 15th, 1916
  34. Chapter XXXIII: December 18th, 1916
  35. Chapter XXXIV: December 20th, 1916
  36. Chapter XXXV: December 20th, 1916
  37. Chapter XXXVI: December 28th, 1916
  38. Chapter XXXVII: January 4th, 1917
  39. Chapter XXXVIII: January 6th, 1917
  40. Chapter XXXIX: January 24th, 1917
  41. Chapter XL: January 26th, 1917
  42. Chapter XLI
  43. Chapter XLII
  44. Chapter XLIII: January 31st, 1917
  45. Chapter XLIV: February 1st, 1917
  46. Chapter XLV: February 3rd, 1917
  47. Chapter XLVI: February 4th, 1917
  48. Chapter XLVII: February 4th, 1917
  49. Chapter XLVIII: February 5th, 1917
  50. Chapter XLIX: February 6th, 1917

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About this edition

This free edition of Carry On: Letters in War-Time by Coningsby Dawson comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #14086, released 2004-11-18. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Biographies, Essays, Letters & Speeches, History - Modern (1750+), History - Warfare.

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